A typical drywall repair of two nail pops, one small hole and one doorknob-size hole, primed and painted, costs about $390, with a range of $150 to $630. Small holes up to 4 inches run $20 to $120 each, larger holes $50 to $200, and cut-out water damage about $2 to $5.50 per square foot, according to HomeAdvisor's June 2026 cost guide.
How the drywall repair cost is calculated
Each kind of damage has a published price range. The calculator multiplies each by how many you have, adds texture and paint for the area you refinish, and scales the result to your state:
Cost = pops × pop price + small holes × small price + large holes × large price + damaged sq ft × replacement price + refinished sq ft × (texture + paint), at least the minimum service charge
HomeAdvisor says labor makes up about 70% of a drywall repair, so every line is split 30% materials and 70% labor in the breakdown. The typical price is the middle of each range.
Worked example (the default)
| Item | Count | Typical each | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail pops | 2 | $35 | $70 |
| Small hole, up to 4 in | 1 | $70 | $70 |
| Large hole, over 4 in | 1 | $125 | $125 |
| Prime and paint | 32 sq ft | $4.00 / sq ft | $128 |
| Total | $393, shown as $390 |
Low and high ends: $154 and $632, shown as $150 and $630.
Drywall repair cost by hole size
| Damage | Price range | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| Nail pop | $10 to $60 | reset or replace the fastener, spot with compound |
| Small hole, up to 4 in | $20 to $120 | spackle or a mesh patch |
| Large hole, over 4 in | $50 to $200 | cut out, backed, patched and finished |
| Patch by area | $50 to $75 per sq ft | a section cut out and replaced |
| Water-damaged board | $2 to $5.50 per sq ft | remove and replace board, tape and finish |
| Retexturing | $1 to $1.95 per sq ft | knockdown, orange peel or skip trowel matched to the wall |
| Painting | $2 to $6 per sq ft | primer over the patch, then paint |
All figures: HomeAdvisor, "How Much Does Drywall Repair Cost", updated June 17, 2026. HomeAdvisor's small-hole class runs "from a fraction of an inch to up to 4 inches across"; anything bigger is priced as a large hole here.
Water damage
Stained, soft or sagging board has to be cut out and replaced once the leak is fixed and the framing is dry. Enter the damaged area in square feet: 32 sq ft, one full sheet, adds about $120 typical ($64 to $176). HomeAdvisor's related wall repair guide gives around $400 per 100 square feet for water damage, which is $4 per square foot and inside the same range. Mold is a separate job; HomeAdvisor lists mold damage repair at $150 to $350 before remediation.
Texture matching and paint
A touch-up that stops at the edge of the patch tends to show, so plan to paint out to the nearest corner or break. That is why "Area to texture or paint" defaults to 32 sq ft rather than the size of the patch. Matching a knockdown or orange peel texture adds $1 to $1.95 per square foot; painting adds $2 to $6.
The minimum charge
A pro charges for the visit, however small the fix. HomeAdvisor notes that "you may pay $100 to $150 even for smaller repairs". When your list adds up to less, the calculator tops the estimate up to that minimum and shows the difference as its own line: one nail pop costs the minimum visit, not $35.
Fix it yourself?
A nail pop or a small hole is a good first repair: a putty knife, a patch kit and a small tub of compound. For how much compound and tape a larger patch takes, the drywall mud calculator works from the square footage. Replacing whole sheets? The drywall calculator counts sheets and screws.
Next steps
If the repair turns into new walls, price it with the drywall installation cost calculator. Repainting the whole room afterwards? The painting cost calculator gives a price, and the paint calculator the gallons. All cost tools are in project costs.